Safety-chest.



J. H. SAFFORD.

SAFETY CHEST.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 19M.

1,205,271 Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I I I ATTORNEY 'J. H. SAFFORD.

SAFETY CHEST.

APPLICATION min NOV. 1:; 1914.

1,205,271. Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

2 SNEETS SHEET 2.

v miimM WITNESS g1 7 INV NTOR Q ATTORNEY JOHN H. SAFFORD, OF BROOKLYN,NEW YORK.

SAFETY-CHEST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

Application filed November 11, 1914. Serial No. 871,462.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. SAFFORD, a citizen of the United States,residing in Brooklyn, county of Kings, State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Chests, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In safety alarm chests having gravitycontrolled mechanism it has beennecessary hitherto to level the receptacle by means of supportingscrews, in order to avoid undesired sounding of-the alarm.

The object of this invention is to render such leveling unnecessary andto enable the chest to stand on any ordinary support without actuationof the mechanism while the box is at rest, owing to any slightinclination of the underlying surface. This is accomplished by theprovision of a gravity-operated contact member, more specifically apendulum, and a cooperative contact member, one within and spaced fromthe other, together with means whereby the cooperative contact member iscentered in relation to the pendulum to compensate for the box beingsomewhat out of horizontal position.

A further feature of the invention relates to a combination of partswhereby the alarm is rendered continuously sounding even after thependulum swings away from the cooperative contact, this part of theinvention being especially distinguished by the simplicity andeffectiveness of the construction, by the fact that vertical movement ofthe pendulum circuit-closing means torender the same inoperative is alsoutilized to restore the continuous-ringing switch to normal, opencondition, and by a provision whereby the detent which normally holdsthis switch open, when retracted by the magnetic alarm device, is cammedout of the way of the latter by the switch in its closing movement, sothat the alarm device is not thereafter hampered by the detent.

Still another feature is an improved means for holding the pendulumdepressed, in operative condition, the same comprising a rotatablebutton or plunger element combined with a fixed p'art, such as anapertured plate, with which the button may or may not be engagedaccording as it is turned.

Other phases and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention by means of thepreferred embodiment thereof: Figure 1 is an elevation of the mechanismin a containing case, which may be built or inserted into a suitablechest which it is desired to protect; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view likeFig. 1, but showing certain parts in a changed position; Flg. 3 is asection on the line 83 of Fig. 1, showing also a portion of the chest;Fig. a is a horizontal section on the line 41 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is avertical section through the pendulum mounting, showing the partscontained therein as they would appear with the chest horizontal and thependulum inoperative; Fig. 6 is a similar view, partly in elevation,illustrating the condition when the box rests at slight inclination,with the pendulum in operative posi-tionthough not closing the circuit;Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the parts tilted at a greater angle, sothat the pendulum closes the circuit; Fig. 8 is a horizontal section onthe line 8-8 of Fig. 5; and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view, with aportion broken away and in section, illustrating two positions of thebutton 4 in full and dotted lines, respectively.

The chest 2 is indicated in Fig. 3, and may be of anysuitable-character, though it need not be provided with the usual screwsupports and spirit level.The alarm mechanism is preferably housedwithin a thin upright casing 3 mounted removably against one of thewalls of the chest, and is provided with a button 4:, preferably ofinsulating material, adapted to pass through an opening 5 in the top ofthe casing, for the purpose presently to be described.

The alarm is preferably an electric bell 6 energized by current from adry battery 7. The circuit includes a wire 8 connecting a spring contact9 with the bell, a wire 10 connecting the bell with a contact screw 11,and

a contact12 on a'circular conducting wall 13.

this purpose relative vertical movement is effected between the pendulumon the one hand and the support and abutment on the other; andpreferably it is the pendulum which is moved up and down. Asillustrated, the button l is connected to or forms part of a plunger 20,operating in a barrel 21, and having the stem 22 of the pendulum hung toits lower end. A spring 23, within the barrel, is operative to raise thependulum, while pressure applied by the cover or the finger on thebutton at lowers the pendulum against the spring action. The said barrel21 is conveniently supported in the upper portion of an insulating tube24:, which surrounds the plunger and stem of the pendulum and is mountedon an annular shoulder on top of the hollow piece 25 which forms theabutment 18. The support 19 forms an inward-projecting ledge on thehollow wall 13, below the abutment piece. The screw 11 makes electricalconnection with the pendulum through the metal barrel 21, which. in turnis in electrical connection with the plunger 20 and the latter with thestem of the pendulum.

The support 19 being included in the circuit, the contact ring 15 islikewise in circuit when it rests on this support. Consequently thecircuit is closed when the side of the pendulum stem touches the insideof the ring. Preferably the centering portion 16 is insulated from thestem of the pendulum, as indicated at 26, though manifestly the sameresult would be secured by making the centering portion entirely ofnon-conducting material.

As heretofore described, the button 4 opcrates in an opening 5 in thetop plate of the casing, and it will be observed (see Fig. 9) that boththe button and the opening are oblong. whereby turning of the button,which is permitted by a swivel joint or r0- tary bearing at any suitablepoint, for example 27, may either enable it to pass through the openingor cause it to be blocked thereby. Thus, the button may be depressedthrough the opening by the finger, and then turned so that the pendulumis held down in its operative position.

lVhen the pendulum is raised by the spring, the centeringportion 16lifts the contact ring 15 off the support and presses it against theabutment 18, which action automatically centers the ring on, the conicalshoulder. This action is illustrated in Fig.

\Vhen the pendulum is depressed, the contact ring is lowered inconcentric relation thereby, and deposited on the underlying supportstill in concentric relation, irrespective of the fact that the box as awhole may be slightly tilted in reference to the pendulum. This isillustrated in Fi 6. Consequently, even through the box may not beperfectly horizontal the contact ring is at all points equidistant orsubstantially equidistant from the pendulum, and, therefore, there is nodanger of the alarm being actuated as long as the box is not disturbed.As soon, however, as the box is lifted, tilted, or jarred, the pendulumis caused to swing, and touches the contact ring, with the resultthatthe bell is set ringing.

The means for rendering the alarm continuously sounding when once setoff will now be described. Numerous changes may be. made withoutdeparting from the principles involved in these features, but theconstruction shown is preferred because of its simplicity and goodaction. In the said construction a vertical slide rod 28 is disposedparallel and adjacent the pendulum, and preferably in the same mountingtherewith. To this end a plate 29 formed integral with or secured to thebarrel 21 is provided with a vertical bearing for the rod, the lower endof which is also guided in an insulating bushing 30 occupying the upperportion of a cavity 31 in the abutment piece 25. The rod constitutes anormally open switch, constantly in electrical contact with the plate29, which is included in circuit, and adapted also to contactelectrically with the piece 25, which is also in circuit. This it doeswhen depressed by a spring 32, so that its pointed lower end is forcedinto the tapering bottom of the cavity, as shown in Fig. 7. In otherwords, this rod 28 constitutes a circuit-closer connected in parallelwith the pendulum circuit-closer.

The circuit-closer 28 is normally held open by means of a detent, whichis retractable by the bell or electro-magnetic device actuated by theelectric circuit. In the best embodiment this detent is also in the formof a slide rod, 33, arranged substantially at right angles to the rod28, and having a collar 3%, designed to be engaged by a projecting arm35 on the armature 36 of the bell magnet 37. The end of the detent rodis normally in locking or full holding engagement with a shoulder 88 onthe upper end of the rod 28; and in order to force and hold the detentrod out of the Way of the bell magnet armature, so as not to hamper thelatter, the switch rod is provided with a beveled or conical head 39above the said shoulder, so as to exert a camming action on the detentrod when the latter is retracted sufliciently to permit the spring 32 toproject the switch rod downward When the switch rod is raised again tonormal position,,the detent rod 33 is restored to engagement therewithby a spring 40.

The switch rod is returned to normal position by the upward movement ofthe pendulum. This is preferably accomplished by mounting a cross-piece4L1 on the plunger 20, this cross-piece having an opening looselyreceiving th switch rod 28 and underlying a collar 42 thereon, wherebythe plunger and pendulum are depressed independently of the switch rod,but after the latter has been moved downward by its spring raising ofthe pendulum also lifts the rod. A. guide pin 43 received in an opening4a in the crosspiece guards against this piece binding on the switch rodthrough turning of the plunger. It will therefore be understood that, assoon as the gravityoperated circuit-closer has operated, the armature ofthe bell magnet retracts the detent rod 33 against the tension of itsspring, sufficiently to release the switch rod 28, which is forceddownward by its spring, thus closing the circuit and keeping it closedirrespective of the pendulum.

'What is claimed as new is:

1. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit,combined with circuit-closing means comprising a gravityoperated memberconstituting a contact and a contact cooperative therewith, and meanswhereby said cooperative contact may be centered in relation to thegravity-operated member to compensate for the box being somewhat out ofhorizontal position.

2. In a safety chest containing electrical alarm mechanism, agravity-operated circuit-closing member, a cooperative contact, andmeans for automatically centering said contact in relation to thegravity-operated member to compensate for the box being somewhat out ofhorizontal position.

3. Alarm mechanism for safety chests comprising a pendulous contact, anda gravity-centered contact cooperative therewith, one of said contactsbeing encircled by the other. I

at. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism comprising normally spacedcontacts one within the other, and means for suspending both contactsfor the purpose of centering the same.

5. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with. a pendulum, a contact member adapted to be engaged bysaid pendulum to close the circuit, and means carried by the pendulumfor centering said contact member with reference to the pendulum.

6. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a vertically movable pendulum constituting a contact insaid circuit, and a loose cooperative cont-act adapted to be supportedand deposited by said pendulum in concentric relation thereto.

7. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a vertically movable pendulum included in the circuitand having a centering portion, a support likewise included in thecircuit, and a contact ring adapted to rest on said centering portionand to be deposited thereby on said support.

8. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and having acentering portion presenting a conical shoulder, a support, a cont-actring adapted to rest on said shoulder, and means for producing relativevertical movement between the pendulum and support to enable the ring tobe deposited on the latter.

9. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and having acentering portion presenting a conical shoulder, an encircling contactadapted to rest on said shoulder, means for raising and lowering thependulum, and means for supporting said contact free of the pendulumwhen the latter is lowered.

10. I11 a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and provided with acentering portion, a loose encircling contact member adapted to rest onsaid centering portion, a support beneath the ring spaced from saidcentering portion, an abutment above the ring, and means for raising andlowering the pendulum, the upward movement bringing said contact memberagainst said abutment and the downward movement depositing it upon saidsupport.

11. I11 a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and provided with acentering portion, a loose encircling contact member adapted to rest onsaid centering portion, a support likewise included in the circuit andlocated beneath the ring spaced from said centering portion, an abutmentabove the ring, and means for raising and lowering the pendulum, theupward movement bringing said contact member against said abutment andthe downward movement depositing it upon said support.

12. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and provided with acentering portion, a loose encircling contact member adapted to rest onsaid centering portion, a. support beneath the ring spaced from saidcentering portion, an abutment above the ring, and means for raising andlowering the pendulum, the upward movement bringing said contact memberagainst said abutment and the downward movement depositing it upon saidsupport, said centering portion being insulated.

13. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and provided with acentering portion, a loose encircling contact member adapted to rest onsaid centering portion, a support beneath the ring spaced from saidcentering portion, an abutment above the ring, a spring for 'aising saidpendulum so as to bring said contact member against the abutment, andmeans for holding the pendulum in its lowered position.

1%. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and provided with acentering portion, a loose encircling contact member adapted to rest onsaid centering portion, a support beneath the ring spaced from saidcentering portion, an abutment above the ring, and means for producingrelative vertical movement between said centering pendulum on the onehand and the support and abutment on the other, whereby said contactmember is alternately held against said abutment and deposited on saidsupport.

15. In a safety chest, alarm mechanism having an electric circuit incombination with a pendulum included in the circuit and provided with anenlargement afiording a conical shoulder, a loose encircling contactadapted to rest on said shoulder, a support beneath the ring, anabutment above the same, and means for producing relative verticalmovement between said centering penduluni on the one hand and thesupport and abutment on the other, whereby said contact member isalternately held against said abutment and deposited on said support.

16, In alarm mechanism, the combination with a pendulous circuit-closer,an alarm circuit controlled thereby, a magnetic device in said circuit,and means for moving said pendulous member vertically to render the sameinoperative, of a spring-urged circuit-closer connected in parallel withsaid pendulous circuit-closer, a detent normally restraining saidspring-urged circuit-closer and adapted to be retracted by said magneticdevice, and means whereby vertical movement of said pendulouscircuit-closer restores said springurged circuitcl0ser to normalposition.

17. In alarm mechanism, an electro-magnetically operated alarm, acircuit for actuating the same, and primary circuit-closing meansincluding a pendulum, in combination with a spring-urged circuit-closerconnected in parallel with the primary circuitclosing means, meanswhereby said springurged circuit-closer is released by actuation of thealarm, and a spring for raising said pendulum to an inoperative positionand capable also of restoring said spring-urged circuit-closer to normalposition.

18. In an alarm mechanism, the combination with a gravity-operatedcircuit-closer, an alarmacircuit controlled thereby, anda magnetic alarmdevice in said circuit, of a spring-urged circuit-closer connected inparallel with said gravity-operated circuitcloser, a detent normallyrestraining said spring-urged circuit-closer, said detent being separatefrom and arranged to be actuated by said alarm device, and means wherebysaid spring-urged circuit-closer upon being released holds said detentout of engagement with said alarm device.

19. In an alarm mechanism, the combination with a gravity-operatedcircuit-closer, an alarm circuit controlled thereby, and a magneticalarm device in said circuit, of a spring-urged circuit-closer connectedin parallel with said gravity-operated circuitcloser, a detent normallyrestraining said spring-urged circuit-oloser, said detent being separatefrom and arranged to be actuated by said alarm device, and saidspring-urged circuit-closer having a locking shoulder normally abuttingsaid detent and in addition an inclined or camming portion adapted toforce said detent out of the way of the alarm device when the detent isretracted from the shoulder.

20. In an alarm mechanism, the combination with a gravity-operatedcircuitcloser, an alarm circuit controlled thereby, and a magnetic alarmdevice in said circuit, of a spring-urged circuit-closer connected inparallel with said gravity-operated circuit-closer, a detent normallyrestraining said spring-urged circuit-closer, said detent being separatefrom and arranged to be actuated by said alarm device, said spring-urgedcircuit-closer having a locking shoulder normally abutting said detentand in addition an inclined or camming portion adapted to force saiddetent out of the way of the alarm device when the detent is retractedfrom the shoulder, and a spring for restoring said detent to normalposition in engagement with said shoulder.

21. In an alarm mechanism, the combination with gravity-operatedcircuit-closing means, an alarm circuit controlled thereby, a magneticalarm device in said circuit, a spring-urged circuitcloser connected inparallel with said gravity-operated circuitclosing means, and adetentnormally restraining said spring-urged circuit-closer, said detentbeing separate from and arranged to be actuated by said alarm device, ofmeans for moving said gravity-operated circuit-closing means to aninoperative position and at the same time restoring said spring-urgedcircuit-closer to normal position, and a spring for reengaging saiddetent with said spring-urged eircuit-closer.

22. In an alarm mechanism, the combination with an. alarm circuitincluding a magnetic device, a pendulum. adapted to close said circuit,,and a mounting forv the rod constituting a switch connected in parallelwith said pendulum, a second slide rod arranged at an angle to the firstand constituting a detent for the same, means whereby said magneticdevice when energized withdraws the detent rod, and a spring forrestoring the same.

24. In an alarm mechanism, the combination with an alarm circuitincluding a magnetic device, and a pendulum adapted to close saidcircuit, of a spring-urged slide rod constituting a switch connected inparallel with said pendulum, a second slide rod arranged at an angle tothe first and constituting a detent for the same, means whereby saidmagnetic device when energized withdraws the detent rod, and a springfor restoring the same, said switch rod having a beveled head adapted toforce the detent rod backward out of the way of the alarm device.

25. In an alarm mechanism, an alarm circuit including a magnetic device,and a pendulum adapted to close the circuit, said pendulum being movablevertically to put the same into or out of action, in combination with aspring-urged slidable switch occupying a position parallel and adjacentthe pendulum and electrically connected in parallel therewith, meanscontrolled by said magnetic device for releasing said switch, and amechanical connection whereby said pendulum when moved vertically toinoperative position also moves said switch to open condition.

26. In an alarm mechanism, an alarm circuit including a magnetic device,a pendulum and a cooperating contact adapted to close the circuit, and aplunger for effecting relative vertical movement between said pendulumand contact, of a spring-urged normally-open switch connected inparallel with said pendulum and adapted to be re leased by said magneticdevice to close the circuit, and a member carried by said plunger andadapted to move said switch in one direction to open the same.

27. In an alarm mechanism, an alarm device, a circuit for actuating thesame, and pendulous circuit-closing means, in combination with avertically movable element for rendering said circuit-closing meansinoperative, a spring urging said element upward, and a fixed partadapted to hold said element down, said element being mounted so as tobe capable of being turned about a vertical axis and formed so as eitherto clear or to abut said part according to its position.

28. In an alarm mechanism, the combination of an alarm device, a circuitfor actuating the same, a pendulum for closing said circuit, a plungercarrying said pendulum and having a rotatable oblong button, a springtending to raise said plunger, and a plate having an aperturecooperative with said button to permit or block passage thereofdependent upon the turning of the button.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' JOHN H. SAFFORD.

Witnesses J. I-IowARD BREESE, LOUELLA F. LITTLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

